Unitary spring clip



7, 1967 R. w. BROWN UNITARY SPRING CLIP Nov.

2 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed Dec. 6, 1964 1 N V EN TOR. RICHARD W.BROWN ATTORNEY N 7, 1967 R. w. BROWN 3,350,974

UNITARY SPRING CLIP Original Filed Dec. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UWEMOR.RICHARD W. BROWN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3 Claims. (Cl. 858.8)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A unitary spring clip having a generallydome-shaped configuration. The outer periphery of the dome is the baseportion adapted to bear upon a workpiece. A resilient yoke is formed inthe crest of the dome with a pair of spaced fingers which are adapted tocooperate with a male member and retain the same.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 415,614, filed Dec. 3, 1964,now Patent No. 3,295,079.

This invention relates to control apparatus and, more specifically, toan improved solenoid actuator assembly for controlling the operation ofa device such as a valve, switch, or the like. It relates also to thecombination of this improved solenoid actuator with a fluid controlvalve. Further, the invention relates to an improved unitary spring clipwhich is used in combination with other elements of the assembly tosecure those elements in assembled relationship.

With the advance in technology in recent years there has come an everincreasing demand for more compact and more reliable solenoid actuatorsand solenoid actuated devices. Obviously, it is desirable that suchactuators be as inexpensive as possible. Inexpensive solenoid actuatorswhich are not fully enclosed can often be used in applications where theactuator is mounted within an exterior housing of the machine orappliance on which the actuator is used. This is true, for example, inthe case of solenoid valve actuators for appliances such as automaticdishwashers and clothes washing machines. However, when the actuator isto be used in an application where an exterior housing will not beprovided, it is generally required that the actuator itself include astructure for enclosing the coil assembly and the electrical connectionsfor the actuator. Generally this has been accomplished by utilizing aninverted cup-shaped member which fits directly over the actuator,generally co-axial with the plunger tube of the actuator, and is securedto the plunger tube by a fastening means such as a threaded nut.

By the present invention I have provided an actuator assembly formed ofa plurality of inexpensive interlocking parts which provides anenclosure for the solenoid actuating coil and the electrical connectionsthereto, but which results in a substantial cost reduction over theactuator assemblies used heretofore. My improved assembly is quickly andeasily assembled or disassembled without the use of expensive orcomplicated tools. My invention further provides a unitary spring clipwhich is utilized to secure the interlocking parts in assembledrelationship and which, when it is in assembled position, provides alocking function to prevent accidental disassembly of the unit butwhich, by a simple manipulation, can be easily removed to render theunit easily disassembled without destroying the clip. My inventionfurther contemplates the combination of the improved actuator assemblywith a solenoid actuated valve of the type having an upstanding plungertube assembly extending therefrom and with the actuator assembly mountedupon the plunger tube assem- 3,350,974 Patented Nov. 7, 1967 bly. By theuse of my invention the solenoid valve is rendered easily assembled inmanufacture and easily disassembled for service when it is installed foruse in the control of fluid flow.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved unitary springclip for securing assemblies, such as a solenoid actuator assembly.

A further object of my invention is to provide a spring clip of the typedescribed above which locks in place when the unit is assembled toprevent accidental disassembly thereof but which is removable by asimple manipulation thereof without destruction of the clip.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent uponreading the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof andwith reference to the drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical cross sectional view taken through the center ofa solenoid valve utilizing the improved actuator assembly of myinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sole noid valve ofFIGURE 1, particularly disclosing the interlocking components of myimproved actuator assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a top view of a unitary spring clip which forms a part of myinvention; and

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the spring clip takengenerally along lines 44 of FIGURE 3.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 designates a valvebody having an inlet port 11 and an outlet port 12. An inlet passage 13extends from port 11, makes a right angle and extends upward to agenerally circular valve chamber 14 which is adjacent the upper surface15 of the valve body. Surrounding passage 13, in the chamber 14, is anannular valve seat 16. An outlet passage 17 connects chamber 14 to theoutlet port 12. Surrounding the chamber 14 and co-axial therewith is anannular recess 20 in valve body 10. Adjacent the surface 15 of valvebody 10 is a second annular recess 21 which is co-axial with recess 20and chamber 14 but having a greater outer diameter than the recess 20.Thus, the recesses 20 and 21 provide a generally annular steppedarrangement adjacent the upper surface 15 of valve body '10. Mounted onthe valve body is a plunger tube assembly 23 which includes a relativelythin walled hollow tube 24 having a radial flange 25 at the inner endthereof. Flange 25 is adapted to fit into the annular groove 21 in thevalve body and is sealed with respect thereto by an O-ring 26 which ismounted in the annular recess 20k At its outer end, tube 24 has mountedtherein a plunger stop 27, the major part of which is mounted inside oftube 24. The plunger stop is sealed with respect to the tube by anO-ring 30 which is mounted in an annular groove 31 in the plunger stopand which is squeezed between the groove and the inner walls of tube 24to provide a tight seal. Plunger stop 27 also has a V-shaped annulargroove 32 into which the tube 24 is rolled to provide a clampingarrangement to secure the plunger stop and tube together. The plungerstop 27 may also have formed therein, on its inner end, within the tube24, an annular groove 33 in which is mounted a shading ring 34.

Plunger stop 27 has an outer end extending above the outer extremity oftube 24 and has an annular groove 35 formed therein adjacent the. outerend. The upper periphery 36 of this groove provides an abutment surfacewhich acts as an annular retaining flange which co-acts with a fasteningmember to be described hereinafter. The outer end of plunger stop 27 maybe beveled to give the outer end of the plunger tube assembly theappearance of a truncated cone as indicated by numeral 37. This improvesthe appearance of the structure and aids in assembly.

Mounted within plunger tube 24, and axially movable therein, is asolenoid plunger 40. Mounted on the inner end of the plunger, preferablyby .a lost motion connection as shown at 41, is a valve member 42 whichis cooperable with valve seat 16 to control the flow of fluid throughthe valve. Vavle member 42 preferably has a seating member 43 which maybe formed of rubber or other similar material to provide a good sealwith the valve seat. Mounted between the plunger stop 27 and the plunger40 is a biasing spring 44 which urges the plunger toward the valve bodyand consequently urges the valve member 42 into engagement with seat 16.In the preferred embodiment I have chosen to mount the spring in anopening 45 in the plunger stop 27, but it is to be understood that theopening may be provided in the plunger itself and the spring merely abutthe plunger stop. I

An apertured clamping ring 46 encircles the plunger tube 24 and engagesthe upper surface of the radial flange 25 thereon. Clamping member 46 isattached to body 15 by appropriate means such as screws 47 (see FIGURE2) and urges the flange 25 into annular groove 21 and into engagementwith the O-ring 26 to provide a fluid tight seal therebetween and torigidly mount the plunger tube assembly on the valve body. Clampingmember 46 thus acts as a cover member forming a part of the valve bodyand the upper surface thereof provides an abutment surface for thesolenoid actuator assembly which will be described hereinafter.

Mounted on the plunger tube assembly is a frame member 50 which has agenerally cup-shaped enclosed rear portion 51 having extendingtherefrom, on opposite sides thereof, a pair of spaced, parallel, flatlegs 52 and 53. In a preferred embodiment the frame member 50 is stampedfrom a flat piece of magnetic material and the legs 52 and 53 are joinedat their rear ends by a bight portion 54 and the cup portion iscompleted by a pair of wings 5,5 and 56 struck forward from oppositesides of the bight portion and extending intermediate the legs 52 and53. Bight portion 54 is provided with an aperture 57 through whichelectrical conductors may extend. The aperture 57 may be fitted with athreaded conduit connector 59 which is attached to the bight portion byappropriate means such as braising (not shown) with the connector 59mounted within the cup portion of the frame member.

The legs 52 and 53. are identical to each other and each is symmetricalabout a center-line extending from front to rear and each has a forwardend portion which preferably takes the shape of a semi-circle. The sideedges of the two legs extend backward from a point tangential to thesemi-circular forward portion and extend to the forward edge of thecup-shaped portion. At the center of curvature of the forward portionare formed apertures 60 and 61 in legs 52 and 53 respectively. Theapertures 60 and 61 are of substantially the same diameter as theplunger tube assembly 23 so that the plunger tube assembly extendsthrough the apertures with the bottom surface of leg 53 engaging theupper surface of clamping member 46.

While the frame member has been described as stamped from a piece ofsheet metal with a cup-shaped portion being formed by striking forwardthe wings 55 and 56, it is to be understood that the frame member may beformed in some other manner without departing from the presentinvention. For example, the frame member may be a drawn part with thelegs 52 and 53 extending forward from the cup-shaped portion andco-extensive with the two opposed sides thereof. However, thearrangement disclosed in the drawing and described above has been chosenas a preferred embodiment since it has been found to provide a ridgedstructure with satisfactory magnetic characteristics, provides apleasing appearance and is simple and relatively inexpensive tomanufacture. The particular material used for the frame member 50 is notimportant but is to be understood that it must be formed of a magneticmaterial since it obviously forms. a portion of the magnetic path forthe solenoid actuator. In order to improve the magnetic characteristicsof the device, it has been found desirable to include slots 62 and 63,in legs 52 and 53, respectively, extending generally along the line ofsymmetry of the legs and extending from the front edge to a pointintermediate the aperture through the legs and the forward portion ofcup-shaped portion 51 of the frame member.

It is also to be understood that, while the preferred embodiment of theframe member has the forward portion of the legs formed as asemi-circle, this configuration is not absolutely necessary. It isdesirable for the reason that it improves the aesthetic qualities of thestructure and results in ease of manufacture, but obviously the forwardportion could be formed with some other configuration without departingfrom the scope of my invention.

Mounted between the legs 52 and 53 is a bobbin 64 which has an aperture65 extending therethrough from top to bottom. This aperture 65 hassubstantially the same diameter as the diameter of plunger tube assembly23 so that the bobbin may be mounted on the plunger tube assembly. Inaddition to the apertured central portion of the bobbin, it alsoincludes a pair of parallel end members 66 and 67 which, when the unitis assembled, are disposed adjacent legs 52 and 53 of the frameportions, respectively. These end members 66 and 67 are formed with ashape similar to that of the leg portions of the frame member butslightly smaller than the legs (see FIG- URE l) for purposes which willbecome clear hereinafter. For example, in the preferred embodiment, eachof the end members of the bobbin has a forward portion formed in theshape of a semi-circle and the aperture 65 extends through the bobbinsubstantially at the center of curvature of these forward portions. Theside edges of the end members extend rearwardly from a point generallytangential to the semi-circular forward portion and terminate in a rearsurface 70 and 71 on members 66 and 67, respectively, which extendtransverse to the axis of symmetry of the legs and of the end members ofthe bobbin. When the bobbin is mounted in the frame member, which is inturn mounted on the plunger tube assembly 23, the rear end portions 70and 71 of bobbin 64 are disposed slightly forward of the forward or openedge of the cup-shaped portion 51 of the frame member.

Mounted on the bobbin 64 is a solenoid coil 72. Upper end member 66 ofthe bobbin may have mounted thereon by appropriate means (not shown) apair of terminal members 73 and 74 which are connected to the coil 72and which provide a means for attaching appropriate conductors 75 (oneof which is seen in FIGURE 1) to the coil.

Enclosing the front and side portions of the bobbin 64 is a member 76which I have chosen to refer to as an enclosure member. This member isformed from a strip of relatively thin material such as metal or plasticand having a thickness approximately equal to the difference indimension between the legs 52 and 53 of the frame member and the endmembers 66 and 67 of the bobbin. Enclosure member 76 has a width whichis substantially equal to the distance between the legs 52 and 53 and isformed with a curvature substantially equal to that of the forwardportion of the end members 66 and 67 of the bobbin. Adjacent each endthereof, member 76 has an in-turned flange. These flanges are denoted bythe numerals 80 and 81 on opposite sides of the member. Adjacent thein-turned flanges 80 and 81, are out-turned or rearwardly extendingflanges 82 and 83 respectively.

When the unit is assembled, enclosure member 76 fits tightly about theend members of bobbin 64 and between the legs 52 and 53. The in-turnedflanges 80 and 81 extend between the rear end portions 70 and 71 of thebobbin and the forward portion of the wings 55 and 56 of the framemember 50. The out-turned flanges 82 and 83 extend rearward along theinterior surface of the wings 55 and 56 respectively. In. other words,in-

turned flange 80 is disposed between the end surfaces 70 and 71 of thebobbin and the forward edge of wing 55 and out-turned flange 82 extendsrearwardly along the interior surface of wing 55 and preferably theparts are so constructed that actually flange 82 would be frictionallyengaging the interior surface of wing 55. Similarly, in-turned flange 81is disposed between end portions 70 and 71 of the bobbin and the forwardedge of wing 56 of the frame member and out-turned flange 83 extendsalong the interior surface of wing 56. Thus, the enclosing member 76 isentrapped between the rear portion of bobbin 64 and the forward end ofthe cupshaped portion 51 of the frame member.

When the enclosure member 76 is mounted in the manner discussed above,it provides a complete enclosure for the solenoid coil which issubstantially continuous with the cup-shaped portion 51 and these twoelements together provide an enclosure substantially completelyenclosing the coil 72 and the electrical connections thereto. Obviouslyenclosure member 76 may be painted, anodized, or otherwise finished inorder to give the desired appearance to the assembly.

When the frame member 50 is mounted on the plunger tube assembly, leg 53engages the upper surface of the body 10, that is the cover or clampingmember 46, and the abutment flange 36 of the plunger tube assembly isdisposed slightly above the upper surface of leg 52 of the frame member.The distance between flange 36 and the upper surface of leg 52 is notparticularly critical but suffice it to say that the flange is disposedimmediately above leg 52. Co-acting with flange 36 and the upper surface52 of the frame member, to secure the assembly, is a unitary spring clip84. In my preferred embodiment, the spring clip is a generallydome-shaped member which has a generally circular base portion 85 (seeparticularly FIGURES 3 and 4). The clip can best be described bydefining it as having front and rear edges 86 and 87, respectively, onthe base portion for purposes which will be described hereinafter. Frontportion 86 preferably has a small notch 90 formed therein. In thispreferred embodiment the diameter of the clip is preferablysubstantially equal to the diameter of the semi-circular portion of thelegs 52 and 53 of the frame member. Formed from a part of the crestportion of the dome-shaped member is a yoke designated by the numeral91. Yoke 91 is severed from the clip member along its forward portion,for example along the forward edge of the yoke as well as along the twosides thereof but is integral with the clip along a line 92 which islocated intermediate the center of the clip and the rear edge 87. Yoke91 has a portion removed at its forward end to define an opening 93 witha pair of spaced forwardly extending fingers 94 and 95 disposed onopposite sides thereof. Clip 84 is formed of a resilient material sothat the forward end of yoke member 91 may be depressed. The yoke may bedownwardly struck from the crest of the dome-shaped member to a pointwhere it extends substantially parallel to the base 85 thereof. Also,fingers 94 and 95 may have downwardly struck portions 96 and 97respectively, adjacent their forward ends, which act as guide membersfor the fingers. These quide members 96 and 97 are preferably struckdown so as to form an obtuse angle with the bottom surface of thefingers.

When the clip is mounted on the actuator assembly, the forward end ofyoke 91 is depressed slightly and guide members 96 and 97 are insertedunder abutment flange 36 and on opposite sides of the plunger tubeassembly, in the groove 35 thereon. As the clip is slid forward on theassembly, the fingers 94 and 95 bear upward on abutment flange 36 andthe circular base 85 of the clip bears downward on the upper surface ofleg 52 of the frame member. The opening left by the depression of theforward portion of yoke 91 must be sufficiently large so that the outerend of the plunger tube assembly can extend therethrough as the clip isslid onto the assembly. When the clip is completely in place on theassembly, the outer end of the plunger tube assembly extends through theopening left by the depression of the yoke 91. At this point the clip isable to snap down so that the entire base engages the upper surface ofleg 52 and also, at this time, the clip is locked in place due to thefact that. the upper end of plunger tube assembly 23 extends through theaforesaid opening in the clip. The clip cannot be inadvertently oraccidentally removed since any attempt to slide it rearwardly results ina latching surface 100, at the forward edge of the opening in the clip,abutting this upper end of the plunger tube assembly. However, the clipcan be readily removed by simply lifting the forward edge thereof, forexample by inserting a screwdriver in the notch and lifting, so that thesurface 100 clears the upper end of the plunger tube assembly. Then theclip can be slid rearwardly and removed from the assembly withoutdestroying the clip.

Obviously, it is not essential that the yoke 91 be struck downwardlyfrom the crest portion of the clip. It is also not necessary that theguide members 96 and 97 be provided. By manually depressing the forwardend of the yoke 91, the fingers can be inserted under the abutmentflange so long as the forward and edge portions of the yoke are severedfrom the clip member. However, by striking the yoke downward from thecrest of the clip and further by providing the guide members 96 and 97,the assembly of the unit is made considerably easier and therefore thisarrangement is utilized in my preferred embodiment.

From the foregoing, it is felt that the assembly of my improved actuatorconstruction will be apparent but the assemblage of parts will bebriefly described in connection with FIGURE 2. Therein, the valve body10 is shown with the upstanding plunger tube assembly 23 mounted thereonin the manner previously described. The enclosing member 76 is placedtightly around the end members 65 and 67 of the bobbin 64 with theinturned flanges 80' and 81 extending inwardly along the rear endportions 70 and 71 of the bobbin. Then this assembly of the bobbin andenclosure member is slid between the legs 52 and 53 of the frame memberand slid back to a point wherein the outturned flanges 32 and 83 of theenclosure member 76 extend into the cup-shaped portion 51 of the framemem her. This assembly is slid together until the inturned flanges 80and 81 are entrapped between the rear surfaces 70 and 71 of the bobbinand the forward edges of wings 55 and 56, respectively. At this time theaperture 65 in the bobbin is aligned with the apertures 60- and 61through the legs of the frame member. The frame member is then mountedon the plunger tube assembly with the plunger tube assembly extendingthrough the apertures and with abutment flange 36 on the outer end ofthe plunger tube assembly positioned immediately above leg 52 of theframe member. Clip 84 is slid into securing engagement with the leg 52and abutment flange 36 so that the fingers 94 and thereof fit into thegroove 35 and resiliently engaged the abutment flange 36 urging it in anupward direction and at the same time the base 85 of the clip bears downupon the upper s-ufrace of leg 52 so that the frame member is urgeddownwardly on the plunger tube assembly. As noted previously, when theclip is slid fully into place, the upper end of the plunger tubeassembly extends through the opening left by the yoke 91 when .it isdepressed from the crest of the clip member. This locks the assembly.

It is to be understood that it is not essential that the clip 84 beformed with a circular base portion, it being essential only that theclip have a concave side facing toward the leg 52 and a convex sidefacing outwardly from the structure with a base bearing upon leg 52.However, it will be noted that when the clip is formed with a shapeconforming to the shape of the forward end of leg 52, the clip not onlysecures the interlocking parts of the assembly in assembledrelationship, but also adds to the aesthetic aspects of the actuatorassembly. With the use of the circular based dome-shaped clip, the clipitself acts like a cover for the assembly and blends in with the otherparts to give the whole assembly a finished appearance. Obviously, theclip may be finished by painting, anodizing or other means in order togive it an appearance which will be pleasing to the eye and which willblend in with the rest of the unit.

It will also be understood that the interlocking assemblage of parts,namely the plunger tube assembly 23, the frame member 50,, the bobbin 64and the enclosure member 76 can be secured by some means other than theclip 84. For example, the upper end of plunger tube assembly 23 might bethreaded and a simple nut he threaded thereon and down into engagementwith the upper surface of leg 52. However, the use of the clip 84 isthought to be preferable for several reasons: first, the cost ofthreading the upper end of the plunger tube assembly exceeds the cost ofsimply forming a groove therein to provide an abutment flange thereon;secondly, as is noted above, the clip itself adds to the aesthetic valueof the assembly; third, the assembly can be made much more rapidly whenthe clip is merely slid into place and locked by its selflocking featuredescribed above; and finally, the clip holds the assembly tightlytogether and will not work loose to permit vibration of the assembly (aproblem which is not uncommon when A.C. current is supplied to thecoil).

From the foregoing it can be seen that I have provided an improvedsolenoid actuator assembly comprised of a plurality of inter-lockingparts, each of which is individually relatively simple to manufactureand consequently relatively inexpensive and wherein the entire pluralityof parts can be quickly and easily assembled to reduce the overall costof the unit. The structure is particularly applicable to a solenoidactuated valve as described herein but it should also be understood thatthe invention is not limited thereto. For example, the plunger tubeassembly may be provided with an abutment surface similar to theclamping member 46 which can be adapted to be mounted upon any device tobe operated by the actuator. Thus, while the invention, in one sense,lies in the combination of the improved actuator assembly with thesolenoid valve, it clearly is not to be limited thereto. Further, it isto be understood that the clip 84 in and of itself provides severalimportant features. Particularly, it is easily applied to secure amember, such as the frame member 50, onto a post-like member such as theplunger tube assembly 23 and which, when in place, provides a lockingfeature which prevents it from being accidentally removed. At the sametime, the clip can be easily removed by lifting up on the forwardportion and sliding it to the rear so the clip can be removed withoutdestroying it, as is the case with most conventional locking clips.Therefore, this clip may find application in other areas than in theactuator assembly described herein.

Again it is emphasized that, while I have shown and described a specificpreferred embodiment of my invention, various modifications thereto maybecome obvious to those skilled in the art in view of my disclosureherein. Therefore, my invention is to be limited solely by the cope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A unitary spring clip for connecting an assembly of the typeincluding a base member having a surface with an upstanding postextending therefrom, the post having a transversely extending abutmentflange adjacent the free end thereof, and a member to be secured to thepost with the post extending through an aperture therein and with afirst surface thereof abutting the surface of the base member and asecond surface thereof transverse to the post and disposed intermediatethe first surface and the abutment flange, the clip comprising:

a relatively thin resilient clip member having a concave side disposedtoward the assembly and an opposite convex side, said clip member havingforward and rear edges on opposite sides of a crest portion, said memberhaving a base portion, including said front and rear edges, adapted tobear upon the second surface of the member to be secured to the post;

and a resilient yoke formed by a portion of the clip and having aforward portion severed from the clip and a rear portion integral withsaid clip at a point intermediate said crest and said rear edge, saidyoke having a portion removed to define a pair of spaced, forwardlyextending fingers adapted to be forwardly slid into position straddlingthe post between the retaining flange on the post and the second surfaceof the member being secured, the forward portion of said yoke beingdepressable to render said fingers slidable under the retaining flangeand to allow the flange to pass between the forward portion of the yokeand the concave side to the clip, the opening left in said clip when theyoke is depressed being sufficiently large so that the free end of thepost, including the retaining flange, extends therethrough to lock theclip with respect to the post when the clip is slid into position on thepost.

2. A unitary spring clip comprising:

a generally dome-shaped member formed from a rela tively thin resilientmaterial, said member having a generally circular base portion,diametrically opposed front and rear edges at said base portion, and adome portion;

a yoke defined by a rectangular portion displaced longitudinally fromthe center of said clip along a diameter thereof and symmetrical aboutsaid diameter, said yoke being severed from said member along itslongitudinal sides and along the transverse side which is locatedclosest to the center of said clip and said yoke being integral withsaid dome-shaped member at the transverse side of said yoke which isfarthest from the center of said clip, said yoke being bent along theline of joinder between said yoke and said dome-shaped member so thatsaid yoke extends generally parallel to the plane of the base portion ofthe member, said yoke having formed therein an opening symmetrical aboutsaid diameter and including a semi-circular opening at the center of theclip and a continuation therefor opening extending to the freetransverse side of said yoke to define a pair of spaced fingers; and

guide means defined by a portion of said yoke adjacent the freetransverse side thereof and downwardly struck to form an obtuse anglewith the plane of the yoke.

3. A unitary spring clip for connecting an assembly of the typeincluding a base member having a surface with an upstanding postextending therefrom, the post having a transversely extending abutmentflange adjacent the free end thereof, and a member to be secured to thepost with the post extending through an aperture therein and with afirst surface thereof abutting the surface of the base member and asecond surface thereof transverse to the post and disposed intermediatethe first surface and the abutment flange, the clip comprising:

a relatively thin resilient clip member having a concave side and anopposite convex side, said clip member having forward and rear edges onopposite sides of a crest portion, said member having a base portionincluding said front and rear edges on the concave side thereof forengagement with the second surface of the member to be secured to thepost;

a resilient yoke formed by a portion of the clip and having a forwardportion severed from the clip and a rear portion integral With said clipat a point intermediate said crest and said rear edge, the forwardportion of said yoke being depressable, and said yoke further having aportion removed to define a pair of 9 spaced and forwardly extendingfingers for straddling the post and engaging the abutment flangethereon; and

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,872,655 8/1932 Blakeslee 858.81,938,878 12/1933 Van Blankensteyn 8560 10 6/1937 Van Blankensteyn 856012/1950 Churchill 858.8 7/1956 Wurzel 858.8 8/1959 Egan 85*55 9/1959Kessler et a1. 8586 4/1965 Reese et a1. 858.8

FOREIGN PATENTS 7/ 1937 Germany. 6/ 1962 Great Britain.

MARION PARSONS, 111., Primary Examiner.

1. A UNITARY SPRING CLIP FOR CONNECTING AN ASSEMBLY OF THE TYPEINCLUDING A BASE MEMBER HAVING A SURFACE WITH AN UPSTANDING POSTEXTENDING THEREFROM, THE POST HAVING A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING ABUTMENTFLANGE ADJACENT THE FREE END THEREOF, AND A MEMBER TO BE SECURED TO THEPOST WITH THE POST EXTENDING THROUGH AN APERTURE THEREIN AND WITH AFIRST SURFACE THEREOF ABUTTING THE SURFACE OF THE BASE MEMBER AND ASECOND SURFACE THEREOF TRANSVERSE TO THE POST AND DISPOSED INTERMEDIATETHE FIRST SURFACE AND THE ABUTMENT FLANGE, THE CLIP COMPRISING: ARELATIVELY THIN RESILIENT CLIP MEMBER HAVING A CONCAVE SIDE DISPOSEDTOWARD THE ASSEMBLY AND AN OPPOSITE CONVEX SIDE, SAID CLIP MEMBER HAVINGFORWARD AND REAR EDGES ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A CREST PORTION, SAID MEMBERHAVING A BASE PORTION, INCLUDING SAID FRONT AND REAR EDGES, ADAPTED TOBEAR UPON THE SECOND SURFACE OF THE MEMBER TO BE SECURED TO THE POST;